Global citizenship has never been more important, especially given our current geopolitical situation. With elections approaching around the world, in 2024, four billion people or half of the world’s population voted, a concept of global citizenry is needed to understand the ways in which electoral choices reverberate to other countries.
However, being a global citizen is not a simple task. Global citizens have particular responsibilities and obligations to the world, as a consequence of their global citizenship. They understand that their actions do not occur in a vacuum, but rather have implications for other nations and for the global community.
So, what is global citizenship, who can call themselves global citizens, and how might you become a global citizen? This article will seek to understand all facets of global citizenship.
What is citizenship?
Citizenship is the membership of a particular country while upholding the rights and responsibilities of that country.
To hold British citizenship, for example, makes a person a British national who can vote in elections and run for office, but is also expected to fulfil their responsibilities of paying tax and obeying laws.
Citizenship goes beyond residency, or the right to live and work in a country for a certain amount time. Citizenship is more demanding, requiring a lifelong commitment to a country. This commitment can be passed down to future generations, as many countries allow citizenship to be passed through families.
Global citizens and citizens of the world
Global citizens see themselves as having particular rights and responsibilities to the world, rather than only to one nation. They aim to improve their own nation but also hope to help other nations, too.
As citizens of the world, they believe that responsibilities go beyond borders and are not limited to their own countries of origin.
To global citizens, the freedom to see the world, participate in the global economy, and exercise political choices in a safe environment are all fundamental rights. In turn, their responsibilities come from ensuring that they contribute to the world’s openness, safety and freedom.
Oxfam GB adds that global citizenship is ‘about how decisions in one part of the planet can affect people living in a different part of it, and about how we all share a common humanity and are of equal worth.’
To be a global citizen, you must be constantly considering your place in the world.
Global citizens ‘take an active role in their community and work with others to make our planet more peaceful, sustainable and fairer,’ according to Oxfam.
What is expected of global citizens?
Global citizenship directly contradicts the assumption that individuals only have obligations to the nation within which they were born.
Rather, global citizens understand that in an increasingly interconnected world, it is not only possible to feel obligations towards more than one nation; it is sensible.
Global citizens tend to be open minded, well-travelled individuals who feel connected to the rest of the world.
Informed and globally engaged, global citizens are often interested in learning about new cultures, world events and new economic opportunities.
However, global citizenship may be more difficult for some people to attain than others.
For example, staying well-informed on global developments requires time commitments and education. Staying connected to the world economy requires business savvy and monetary commitments.
Responsibilities of global citizens
Global citizenship is not attainable for everyone, and should be regarded as a privilege which comes with important responsibilities.
How can I be a good global citizen?
If global citizenship is attainable for you, then it is important to understand the responsibilities of global citizenship. There are many responsibilities, but here are some of the most important:
